News

Spirits were high for Convocation 2022 as 43 DDS, 29 DDH, five BDH, two Masters of Periodontics, and one MSc in oral and maxillofacial science graduates walked across the stage in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on May 31. (A full list of graduates is available here.)

After a two-year gap, during which convocations were cancelled because of the pandemic, students, faculty, and staff alike were excited to mark the occasion.

Dr. Robert Loney, a retired faculty member who delivered the convocation address, captured the mood in his convocation address. “…look at us here today,” he said. “We are joyous just to be physically together in the same room with masks on. Three years ago, who amongst us would have thought that that was a thing to be thankful for – being together in the same room!”

Dr. Ben Davis, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, presented the Dr. D. S. Precious University Medal to Hannah MacDonald, commending her on her academic excellence and her dedication to competitive horseback riding.

Hannah was one of five students, together with Susan Cole, Kathryn O’Donnell, Catherine O’Neill, and Ian Palmeter, to graduate with distinction.

The dental hygiene and dentistry graduation dinners took place on the evening before convocation, at which student awards were presented (see lists below) and valedictorian addresses delivered for both the dental hygiene (Ramlah Mahmood) and dentistry (Claire Boileau) classes.

Dental hygiene awards:

Lindsey Cavanagh
Sunstar Oral Systemic Link Prize for demonstrating the greatest proficiency in patient management

Jacqueline Feltmate
Koreen Reid Memorial Scholarship for overcoming a hardship before or during their studies in the program, demonstrated kindness, and able to rise above challenging circumstances

Chantel Haslam
Halifax County Dental Society for demonstrating the greatest proficiency in clinical dental hygiene

Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler for the greatest proficiency in clinical dental hygiene

Lindsay MacIntyre
College of Dental Hygienists of Nova Scotia Award for the highest academic standing in all subjects

Ramlah Mahmood
Andrea Brennan Memorial Prize

NFLD Dental Hygienists Association Prize for the second highest academic standing in all subjects

Pickersgill Memorial Scholarship for the student with the highest grade point average who participated in the Grenfell experience

Anne Rafuse Memorial Prize for the greatest academic and social contribution to the class

Alice Hartlen Memorial Prize For demonstrating the greatest proficiency and creativity in community health

Kurtis Moult
Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler for the second-best proficiency in clinical dental hygiene

Melissa Wooldridge
Columbia Dentoform Prize for greatest proficiency in patient management and patient education


Dentistry awards

Claire Boileau
Dr. Frank Woodbury Memorial Prize
Awarded to the student with the greatest proficiency in theoretical orthodontics.

Susan Cole
CARDP Dr. E.J. Rajczak Student Scholar Award
Awarded to the graduating student with the highest standing in the disciplines of both operative dentistry and prosthodontics.

Sunstar Oral Systemic Link Prize
Awarded to a student who demonstrates an understanding of, and interest in, promoting the value of good oral health to their patients and/or the public.

Allanah Conrad
Dr. J.D. McLean Scholarship
Awarded to a student in any year of dental study provided that their GPA is not less than 3.0, no subject is below a grade of C and who, in the opinion of the Academic Award Committee, merits the scholarship.

Alec Grabinski
Society of Dental Specialists of Nova Scotia Prize
Awarded to a fourth-year DDS student who has been accepted into a post-graduate/graduate dental education program and has a high academic standing (a combined third and fourth-year GPA of 3.4 or higher).

Joy Ifesanya
Dr. J.D. McLean Scholarship
Awarded to a student in any year of dental study provided that their GPA is not less than 3.0, no subject is below a grade of C and who, in the opinion of the Academic Award Committee, merits the scholarship.

Kiran Kaur Baljeet Singh
American Academy of Oral Medicine Prize
Awarded to the student who demonstrates proficiency in the clinical management of medically complex patients, the diagnosis and non-surgical management of medically related conditions of the oral and maxillofacial regions, and promise, academic achievement, and interest in the discipline of oral medicine.

Hannah MacDonald
Dr. D. S. Precious University Medal in Dentistry
Awarded to the student who meets the requirements for graduation and in the opinion of the Faculty merits this award.

CFAO Award for Achievement in Undergraduate Orthodontics
Awarded to one undergraduate dental student who demonstrates all of the following:   1) completed the final year of a DDS or DMD degree at a Canadian faculty of dentistry; 2) exceptional didactic achievement throughout their undergraduate education in orthodontics; 3) consistent and exceptional progress in clinical orthodontic skills throughout their undergraduate education in orthodontics; 4) ethical and professional care for their patients.

Dr. Frank Woodbury Memorial Prize
Awarded to the student with the highest academic standing.

HANAU™ Best of the Best Prosthodontic Award
Awarded to a graduating student who excels in the study and clinical application of prosthodontics.

Quintessence Award for Periodontics
Awarded for excellence in clinical achievement in periodontics.

Kayla MacPherson
American Association Endodontists Prize
Awarded to the student with exceptional ability in endodontics.

Rebecca Marr
CDA Student Leadership Award
Awarded to a graduating student who, over the four years of their program, has shown the most outstanding qualities of leadership and character, and who may be expected to become a leader in the dental profession, the dental community, and society at large.

Canadian Academy of Periodontology Prize
Awarded to the student who demonstrates the greatest proficiency in periodontics.

Dr. F.A. Godsoe Award
Awarded to the New Brunswick student who shows the greatest proficiency in foundation sciences clinical practice.  

Cassidy Merrill
Dr. Frank Woodbury Memorial Prize
Awarded to the student with the greatest proficiency in comprehensive care.

Negar Mir Sharifi
Oral Pathology Award
Awarded to the student with the greatest proficiency in oral medicine, pathology, and radiology.

Todd Myette
American College of Prosthodontists Achievement Award
Awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in prosthodontics.

Kathryn O'Donnell
American College of Dentists Outstanding Student Leader Award
Awarded to a senior dental student with a record of strong scholastic achievement, obvious ethical and compassionate patient care, and who demonstrates strong leadership through direct involvement in student government and similar leadership endeavours.

Dr. Frank Woodbury Memorial Prize
Awarded to the student with the second highest academic standing.

AAPD Certificate of Merit Predoctoral Student Award
Awarded to the student who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in dentistry for children.

Catherine O'Neill  
Dr. Frank Woodbury Memorial Prize
Awarded to the student with the greatest proficiency in theoretical orthodontics.

Ian Palmeter
AAP Dental Student Award for Achievement in Periodontology
Awarded to the graduating senior who displays the highest level of academic and clinical achievement related to periodontics.

Victoria Parsons
3M ESPE Canada Student Clinical Award
Awarded to the student who demonstrates excellence and superior aptitude in the use of conservative restorative materials in the final year of the clinical undergraduate program.

Gavin Raddall
Dr. Jeanne Craig Sinkford Student Leadership Award (new)
This ADEA-sponsored award is given annually by each U.S. and Canadian dental school to a student in good academic standing in their final year of dental education for:
o    Participation in leadership activities.
o    Demonstration of effective leadership.
o    Advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
o    Championing access to oral health care for underserved and disadvantaged populations.
o    Community service oriented.
o    Proclivity to enter dental education or organized dentistry.

Pierre Fauchard Academy Senior Dental Student Certificate of Merit
Awarded to a dental student for outstanding and dedicated service to the profession. Particular emphasis is placed on the student's contributions to the dental literature.

Erin Steeves
Dr. Norman Levine Undergraduate Student Award (CAPD)
Awarded to a student enrolled in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program at Dalhousie University who demonstrates high academic achievement. The recipient will be from the Maritime provinces, with a preference for a student from New Brunswick.

East Coast Dental Award (new)
Awarded to a third or fourth-year student who demonstrates aptitude and passion for the field of pediatric dentistry and/or dentistry for persons with special needs.

Quintessence Award for Restorative Dentistry
Awarded to the student with the greatest proficiency in restorative dentistry.

Andra Sterea
Quintessence Award for Research
Awarded to the student who demonstrates exceptional interest and research abilities during their four years of dental study.

Parker Tripp
Dr. Bill MacInnis Scholarship
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of their classmates, demonstrates a strong commitment to the ethical practice of dentistry. The award seeks to recognize an individual who inspires trust, confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm in their dental colleagues by combining outstanding qualities of skill and personal character.

Amy Young
Dr. Bill MacInnis Scholarship
Awarded to a member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of their classmates, demonstrates a strong commitment to the ethical practice of dentistry. The award seeks to recognize an individual who inspires trust, confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm in their dental colleagues by combining outstanding qualities of skill and personal character.